Politics

3:33 pm

Fri August 15, 2014

Gubernatorial Hopeful James Comer Thinks Kentucky Government Can Be Leaner, More Efficient

Commissioner James Comer says many of the reforms he brought to the Kentucky Agriculture Department are needed across state government. The gubernatorial candidate was in Bowling Green Friday speaking to the group Leadership Kentucky.

Since taking the reins in 2012, Comer talked about how the Agriculture Department has become more accountable, transparent, and efficient which he said will be talking points on the campaign trail.

"The next governor will have to make some tough decisions. The next governor will have to pay for this Medicaid expansion and find a way to infuse money into this pension system that threatens to bankrupt the state," explained Comer. "We're going to go back to the Department of Agriculture on how we've saved money and shrunk the size of our government agency while doing more for the taxpayers because that's what we're going to have to do in all of state government in the future."

After the speech, Comer declined to comment on rumblings that he has picked State Senator Chris McDaniel as his running mate.

"I'll say this about State Senator Chris McDaniel. I'm a big fan of his. He's had huge success in the private sector with a business he started," added Comer. "In my opinion, he's proven himself to be one of the smartest guys in Frankfort. He's passionate about finding waste, fraud, and abuse in state government and I think that's something the next administration is going to have to take seriously."

Comer will officially launch his gubernatorial bid and announce his running mate September 9 in his hometown of Tompkinsville.

Louisville businessman Hal Heiner is also seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Attorney General Jack Conway is the only announced Democratic candidate in the 2015 race.